I read the four novels in this series, and always hoped for one more (about Hope's twin brother). So, when I found out about Parallel Fire, I immediately thought it was his story. I was more than a little surprised when this one turned out to be about two characters that never made much impact on me...Anna and Nevin. Add to that the fact that this was previously an e-release and very short, and I was quite disappointed. But when I started to read it, that changed.

At less than 100 pages, Deidre Knight manages to give Anna and Nevin a complete story. It is hot, passionate, and quite sweet. For years, they have been attracted to each other, but neither has made the first move. Nevin is actually quite shy and Anna's commanding officer, and Anna believes that the very reserved Commander has absolutely no interest in her. Add into the mix the age difference between the two and Nevin's impending "maturity", and it seems that these two just can't catch a break. That is until they are trapped, alone with each other for the first time, and unable to escape their desires.

Anna and Nevin have a wonderful romance, even with the few pages. They have fought their feelings for years, so when they finally break free from what has been holding both of them back their relationship becomes intense, fast. In previous books, there has been time travel, parallel realities, and lots of focus on characters other than the main couple. None of that is here...it is just Nevin and Anna and their need for each other. Deidre Knight writes a very hot story, and this is no exception. I am so glad I didn't skip this one, because I would have been missing out.